Light Grey Paint Colors: Pretty Much the Same?

Moving into this Georgian home with freshly painted interior walls in various shades of greige has been a learning experience for this paint color ambassador! Since we have never lived with grey walls in our homes, I wasn’t sure if I would be rolling on my favorite whites. However, here we are with grey walls 18 months later! And it’s not just a single light grey paint color throughout the interiors. Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray, Agreeable Gray, Eider White as well as Farrow & Ball Pavilion Gray are on kitchen cabinets. Are all these light grey paint colors pretty much the same? Let’s cut to the chase immediately…NOPE, they are not. We’ll also peek at Farrow & Ball Blackened which is similar but different enough you may want to sample it.

SW Agreeable Gray in tonal family room with built-ins and Belgian linen - Hello Lovely Studio. #swagreeablegray — **SW Agreeable Gray 7029** – Hello Lovely

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Light Grey Paint Colors: Pretty Much the Same?

Sherwin-Williams Agreeable Gray

Agreeable Gray is Sherwin-Williams’ best selling color because it straddles that warm/cool neutral beige-y look that works in so many different lighting situations.

SW Agreeable Gray on bedroom wall - Hello Lovely Studio. #agreeablegray — **SW Agreeable Gray** – Hello Lovely

I still need to tweak our bedroom (above) which has eastern exposure, 7029 on the walls, cooler light grey on furniture, and medium cool grey carpet. It’s all sort of a singular wash of greige in there right now so I either need to add lots of texture and moments of warmth or paint the walls white.

Agreeable Gray - SW 7029 paint color swatch. #agreeablegray #swagreeablegray — **SW Agreeable Gray 7029**

“Our best-selling paint color is the perfect complement to just about anything. With a beige undertone, this gray exudes a subtle warmth.” – Sherwin-Williams

SW Agreeable Gray on bedroom wall with tree mural (Photowall) and modern lift desk (BDI) - Hello Lovely Studio. #agreeablegray — **Agreeable Gray** – Hello Lovely

You can see how Agreeable Gray has a lot of warmth when you see it next to a cooler grey scenic wallpaper in a guest room with Western exposure (above). Again, as I am living with it, I like the calm warmth it imparts, but a part of me still wants more light reflected.

SW Agreeable Gray on bedroom wall with beautiful gallery arrangement over chest - @carriedawayantiques. #agreeablegray — **SW Agreeable Gray** – @carriedawayantiques

Will Agreeable Gray Be Too Light?

This is a subjective matter and depends on the amount of natural light in your space. Our bedroom can feel quite dim in the afternoon (it receives morning light). But is that the worst quality to have in a bedroom for sleeping?

Beautiful multi-toned kitchen by @browneyedfox with SW Agreeable Gray on cabinet, Night Owl on island. #agreeablegray #nightowl #sherwinwilliamsgraypaintcolors — Kitchen by @browneyedfox with **SW Agreeable Gray** on cabinet & Night Owl on island

The gray feels just right on cabinets in a kitchen (above) which also features SW Night Owl as well as in a mud room below:

SW Agreeable Gray on wood paneled mud room wall - @saltandstone_co. #agreeablegray — **Agreeable Gray** in a mudroom by @saltandstone_co

Thank goodness builders and designers share names of paint colors so we can see how they can transform dated stone on an exterior:

Before and after house exterior painted SW Agreeable Gray on stone and Pure White on stucco - @devanie_at_home. #agreeablegray #purewhite — Before & After (**SW Agreeable Gray** on stone; **Pure White** on stucco) – @devanie_at_home

What a transformation! And I feel like Agreeable Gray looks extremely natural as a stone color. Here’s the color on trim:

SW Agreeable Gray on trim of house exterior - @gerrardbuilders (Joe Purvis Photos). #agreeablegray — @gerrardbuilders – **Agreeable Gray** on house trim

So beautiful! I used the color in different sheens for our family room:

1. Paint Color

2. Rattan Arm Chairs With Cushion

3. 4-Light Lantern

4. Similar Sofa

5. Similar Reclaimed Wood Coffee Table

6. Exact Agave in Stone Planter

7. Carpet

8. Similar Velvet Pillow Cover

And this will give you an idea of how Sherwin-Williams greyed whites and light greys compare:

Sherwin Williams grey paint color swatch cards. — Sherwin-Williams swatch cards with various light gray paint colors

A gray paint color close to Agreeable Gray yet less warm and a bit lighter? Repose Gray which we have in our bath, entry, dining, and living rooms.

SW Repose Gray 7015

“Tranquil tones and soothing warmth make this light gray a great choice in almost any space. For a complementary trim, pair with Eider White.” – Sherwin-Williams

SW Repose Gray on bathroom wall near clawfoot tub - Hello Lovely Studio. #reposegray #swreposegray — **SW Repose Gray** – Hello Lovely

Even though our primary bedroom is Agreeable Gray, it didn’t feel quite right with the cool tones of the tile floor we chose. Repose Gray looked better in the eastern exposure room…at least for now! I may change it as I finish up this space.

Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray paint color swatch. #swreposegray #bestgraypaintcolor — **SW Repose Gray 7015**

Our sitting room/living room gets western light, and Repose Gray feels calm and classic.

SW Repose Gray in living room with Belgian linen sofa, egg chair, and arched windows - Hello Lovely Studio. #reposegray #belgianstyle

1. Similar Swivel Egg Chair

2. Similar Console Table

3. Similar Sofa

4. Similar Bench

5. Wall Color

6. Faux Fur Throw

7. Candle

The dining room (we use it as a music room) is also Repose Gray, and the trim is premixed white Sherwin Williams Emerald urethane in satin.

Dining room with classic style millwork, SW Repose Gray walls, and greyed oak hardwood floors - Hello Lovely Studio. — **Repose Gray** in my dining room – Hello Lovely

It’s a beautiful choice for light gray cabinets or trim too:

Elegant white farmhouse kitchen with Benjamin Moore Repose Grey cabinets, subway tile, gold accents, and reclaimed barn wood. Design: Finding Lovely. Wall color: Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace. — **Repose Gray** with **BM Chantilly Lace** – Photo/Design: Finding Lovely

Bear in mind it’s going to have more of a washed out look in sunny areas or outside:

Repose Gray by Sherwin Williams paint color on the siding and Dorian Gray painted front door by Bell Sheep Studio. #paintcolors #bestgrey #doriangray #reposegray #interiordesign — Bell Sheep Studio – Door: **SW Dorian Gray**; Siding: **SHERWIN WILLIAMS Repose Gray**

It actually looks much darker in our powder bath where there are no windows:

Powder bath in Georgian renovation with framed grisaille tree mural - Hello Lovely Studio. — **Repose Gray** in my powder bath – Hello Lovely Studio

If you like Repose Gray but have a dim room or are after something a bit lighter, consider SW Eider White.

Sherwin-Williams Eider White

Even though it has “white” in the name, depending on the context, it may work as a light grey.

Belgian linen slipcovered dining chairs in serene white breakfast nook with Eider White painted walls - Hello Lovely Studio. #eiderwhite #modernfrench #europeancountry #belgianlinen — **Eider White** in our breakfast nook – Hello Lovely

I had never heard of this color, and I absolutely love it in our sunny kitchen with Eastern and Southern light.

Sherwin Williams Eider White 7014 paint color swatch. #eiderwhite — **SW Eider White 7014**

“Create a bright, relaxing tone with this cool white paint and its gray undertone. So versatile you can use it in any room.” – Sherwin-Williams

Serene white and light grey European country kitchen with Viatera Muse quartz counters, calacatta gold backsplash, and Pavilion Gray painted cabinets - Hello Lovely Studio. #eiderwhite #modernfrench #europeancountry #viateramuse — **SW Eider White** on kitchen walls with calacatta gold marble backsplash – Hello Lovely

Even though Sherwin Williams says Eider White is great in any room, I would caution you to sample it first! It has undertones with pinky-purple that may be perceived in certain lighting. I actually like whites with pink undertones (so pretty for ceilings), and Eider White looks great with the creamy warm tones in our calacatta gold marble.

Eider White (Sherwin-Williams) paint color banner.. #eiderwhite

But there are contexts where this color could read purple so definitely try a few different tones before getting sold on just one.

SW Eider White on bathroom walls (vanity is Pure White) - @mccormickcustom. #eiderwhite #sweiderwhite — **SW Eider White** on walls & Pure White on vanity – @mccormickcustom

Here it is on a painted brick home exterior:

SW Eider White on a beautiful house exterior - @blvdhomestn. #eiderwhite #whitepaintcolors — @blvdhomestn – **Eider White**

If you’re a fan of Belgian linen as I am, you might like Eider White for a low contrast, harmonious look:

Hello Lovely's breakfast nook in a kitchen with modern French style - come shop the look! #modernfrench #frenchkitchen #breakfastnook #hellolovelystudio

1. Similar Woven Placemat Set

2. Everlasting Hydrangea Vase Filler

3. Slipcovered Dining Chair

4. LVP Flooring

5. Wall Paint Color

6. Similar Modern French Vase

7. Thomas O’Brien Elizabeth Chandelier

8. Similar Pedestal Table

Farrow & Ball Blackened 2011

As you can see, there are subtle and not so subtle differences in light grey paint colors. Blackened is a cool greyed white and much different from the warm beige-y neutrals. If you haven’t used grey paint colors then you may not realize how much they can vary according to their undertones.

Blackened (Farrow & Ball) paint color in a bedroom - @fionawiseman_interiors. #blackened #paintcolors — @fionawiseman_interiors

I think I would love this in a bedroom for a restful look.

Blackened 2011 Farrow & Ball paint color swatch. #blackened #farrowandballblackened — Farrow & Ball Blackened 2011

What Sort of Light Gray is Blackened?

Farrow & Ball describes the hue as:

“Our coolest white, with the slightest hint of grey, was historically made with the addition of lamp black pigment gathered from the smoke of burning oil lamps. Blackened sits perfectly with each of our Architectural Neutrals for a minimal look or stronger industrial feel. It’s particularly spectacular when used in Full Gloss within stainless steel kitchens, or when paired with All White for an uncompromisingly modern finish.”

Blackened (Farrow & Ball) paint color on a staircase - @beartowers. #blackened #paintcolors — @beartowers

Above, you can see how Blackened looks paired with bright pure white.

Blackened (Farrow & Ball) paint color in a living room - @myvictorianhouse. #blackened #paintcolors — @myvictorianhouse

With less natural light, Blackened appears more blue.

Is Blackened Appropriate for a Kitchen?

It helps to see a particular color in a number of different rooms, yes?

Blackened 2011 on walls of kitchen with built-in bench - @lottiebownhome. #farrowandballblackened

Above, you can see how Blackened is cool. You can see how it contrasts with warm wood shelves below:

Blackened (Farrow & Ball) paint color in a kitchen - @mrsvls_home. #blackened #paintcolors — @mrsvls_home

Another kitchen with this greyed white feels modern with bright white trim and black accents:

Blackened (Farrow & Ball) paint color in a kitchen - @cateshill. #blackened #paintcolors — @cateshill

It’s helpful to see how this color looks in different lighting scenarios and different seasons. The paint color looks wintry tranquil here:

Blackened (Farrow & Ball) in lovely great room by @staciepfefferinteriors. #blackened #farrowandballblackened — @staciepfefferinteriors

and very cool, calm, and blue here:

Blackened 2011 paint color in bedroom - @theharehome. #blackened #farrowandballblackened #paintcolors — **Blackened** – @theharehome

Is This the Most Tranquil Paint Color for a Bedroom? Come see this gorgeous contender! #farrowandballblackened #blackened

Just in case you are considering the color for a bath or kitchen where it will join marble tile, here’s an inspiring image to give us an idea…

Blackened (Farrow & Ball) paint color in a bathroom - @homesweetedwardian. #blackened #paintcolors — @homesweetedwardian

Here’s a beautiful example of Blackened on skinny wood wall paneling.

Blackened (Farrow & Ball) paint color on paneling in a living room - @fourwallsandwinston. #blackened #paintcolors — @fourwallsandwinston

Isn’t it beautiful with that wood cabinet? Here’s another example of the color with light wood tones:

Blackened (Farrow & Ball) paint color in a bedroom - @chintzkitty. #blackened #paintcolors — @chintzkitty

Blackened in Tranquil Bedrooms

A lot of folks love this color for their bedroom, and if you’re after a restful retreat-feel, then maybe it will be a contender.

Blackened (Farrow & Ball) paint color in a bedroom - @ohara_interiors. #blackened #paintcolors — @ohara_interiors

You can see how it works well with the gold tones above and below.

Blackened (Farrow & Ball) paint color in a bedroom - @quandosai. #blackened #paintcolors — @quandosai

This may be the most helpful example of Blackened in a bedroom of all! Skip to 16:40 to see it in a beautiful Hamptons bedroom and sitting room:

I hope the glimpses help you on your own journey to find the best light grey or greyed-white paint color for your space.

Blackened (Farrow & Ball) paint color in a hallway. #blackened #paintcolors — Farrow & Ball

You’ll find many more ideas and paint color inspiration on this blog. Start HERE. Easiest way to see if a paint color will work? Order samples with Samplize and have them delivered straight to your door.

A Few More Light Grey Accents

If this color is speaking to you, I just added the best silvery-grey towels and robe to my bath. I highly recommend these:

Shop the look: favorites in my bathroom! Hello Lovely Studio.

1. Luxurious Bath Towels

2. Dew Body Oil

3. Round Dry Brush

4. Turkish Cotton Robe

5. Turkish Bath Towels

6. Metal Tray Accent Table

7. Herbivore Coconut Bath Soak

8. AVEDA Shampure Soy Candle

9. Clawfoot Tub

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

Thanks for shopping RIGHT HERE to keep decor inspiration flowing on Hello Lovely!

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